Job 1:6-12

Job 1:6-126 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job’s life is about to become complicated as he’s about to be put to test. The sons of God, which as best as I can tell from looking at various translations means the angels of God’s court, come before God.

Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. (NIV)

Job 1:6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. (NLT)

My guess is that this means they fall-in for inspection or to report what they’ve been doing. From the wording, I would say that Satan, the Adversary, or the Accuser, was not a welcome guest which is why the Lord singles him out with questions about where he came from. Satan’s answer falls into the category of what every kid says when he doesn’t want to answer a question, something along the lines of ‘around.’ If asked what he’d been doing, he probably would have said ‘nothing,’ meaning nothing I want you to know about. So, God redirects the focus to Job pointing out his high standing among men and before God. Of course, Satan has considered Job and God knew this before he asked the question. Most likely, Satan found Job quite annoying being the one human who he was not able corrupt and believes it is only because God was protecting Job. In Satan’s reply he tries to manipulate what God had said about Job by saying who wouldn’t fear the one is providing protection and wealth. The ‘hedge’ in verse ten being God’s shield; protecting Job, his house and all his possessions. Going further Satan says that Job would surely curse God if he lost his possessions, if God took away all that He had given to Job. Satan is trying to manipulate the situation as if God didn’t already know what the outcome would be. This deception worked on Eve in Genesis 3:1 “…Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” but would certainly not work on God who is about to let Satan test Job. Now, we know from Scripture that God will not allow anyone to be tempted beyond what they can stand.

1 Corinthians 10:13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

However, this does not mean the test is not going to be painful and as we will see this gets very rough for Job. At this point, God hands control of everything Job possesses to Satan and Satan goes out from God’s presence, presumably to begin taking from Job all that he has.

Thinking of this story makes me want to blend-in rather than stand-out as I certainly would not want to face this test (and I certainly wouldn’t fare well). Yet, is this not similar to the test that Jesus went through on the cross? He lived a blameless life and yet was put to the ultimate test. First being betrayed by a friend, then having his followers scattered as he died on the cross. We know that even Jesus prayed that he would not have to face the ultimate test.

Matthew 26:39And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Still, each and every one of us will someday face the ultimate test as our bodies only last so long. The question is are we ready? And, where are we going? If you can’t answer those questions consider this.

John 12:44-4944 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

So, if you have heard this and believe, ask the Lord to come into your heart today in Jesus’ name.

Heavenly Father,
You are great and merciful, yet you can test whomever you choose. You know our hearts and in your mercy have granted salvation through your son, Jesus Christ, and for this we give thanks in His name.
Amen